Lens grinding and polishing machine



Jan. 18, 1938. HOUcHlN 2,105,691

LENS GRINDING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Lowe/l L. houc/l/fl.

W A TTORNEY S.

Jan. 18, 1938. oucHlN 2,105,691

LENS GRINDING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

M? 7 A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 18, 1938.

1.. L. HOUCHIN 2,105,691

LENS GRINDING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1956 I s Sheets-sheaf. s

INVENTOR. Lowe L. houch/n.

ATTORNEYS.

1938. L. HOUCHIN LENS GRINDING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936' 5 Shee1;sSheet 4 INVENTOR. 0we// A. Houefim.

A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 18, 1938. L. L. HOUCHIN 2,105,691

' LENS GRINDING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. 0W@// L. fiouc/m A TTORNEYS. j

Patented Jan. 18, 1938 l l umrsn s rn-res PATENT OFFICE 7. 2,195,691 LENS: GRINDING'AND POLISHING MACHINE Low'ellL. Houchin, Columbus, Ohio A-pplieationipril 13, 1936, Serial No: 74,065

r 4 Claims.

My invention relates-"to a' lens grinding and polishing machine. It has todo; more particularly, with a'machine for grinding and polishing lenses which is providedwith a lens holderand a lapholder-movable relative to each other; means being provided for simultaneously moving one'oi the elements both transverselyand longitudinally relative to the other and additional means being provided for imparting a thirdmovement so---as to constantly change the path of movement and the extent of movement of one element relative to the other.

There have been a number of machines-of the general type indicated above devised in the past. Tr ese machines usually embody a lap holder and a lens holder movable relative to each-other. In order that the entire surface of the lens will be abraded by the lap, means isprovided for moving one-of the-elements, usually the lens; relative to the other both transversely and longitudinally at the same time; However, inorder to breakup the lines of abrading and to reduce the chances of'having inaccuracies in the finished lens, a-thi'rd motion is usually employed. The third motionis accomplished by having additional meansfor moving the elements relative to each other so as to change the paths of travel of the movable elements duringsuccessive strokes and cycles of movement; 7

Although these prior art machine's-of the'g'en eral type indicated have goneinto extensiveu'se, they are possessed of certain undesirable features. Oneof the greatest disadvantages ofthese prior art machines resides in the fact' -that; they are ofa complicated structure and, therefore, are; expensive to constructand maintain; They are usually provided with a number' oi parts which do not wear for any appreciable length of time. Another great disadvant'age of such pior' art machines resides inthe fact" that they are-so constructed-that the third motion provided-for breaking up the lines of grinding does'ri'ot break up the lines sufficiently or: as often as would be desirable; These prior artmachines" have been possessed: of other undesirable features.

One of the: objects of my inventionis to provide a lens 1 grinding: and polishing" machine which is provided with a lens hol'der-anda lap noider; means being provided for simultaneously moving such elements relative to each other in tw'odirections-at right angles to each other, and additional means beingprovided fori'm'partirig-a thi'r'cl'move merit to such elements so as to constantly-change the path of movement and the extent;- of mov e ment of one element relativeto the other inorder to break up'the lines of grinding to a greater extent and more often than with prior art niachines and thereby obtain a more accurate surface on the lens.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the type indicated which is of a very simple structure and is therefore inexpensive to construct and maintain and which is provided with a minimum number of parts which are subject to wear.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the type indicated provided with means for bringing about three'movement's of the lens and'lens-grin'ding lap relative to each other, such means being of such a nature that the three movements are independent of each other and, consequently, such movements may be controlled in such a manner that maxi-mum breaking up of the lines of grinding will" be obtained; I

In its preferredform, my invention contemplates the provision or a machine embodying a base or housing having means for mounting a plurality of laps outside of the housing and on the forward wall-thereof. Withiri the housing is disposed aframe or carriage which is adapted to carry a plurality of lens-holding members. These lens-holding members are so arranged that the lenses will contact withflthe surfaces" of the" hips which are disposed on the forward-wall of' the housing. The frame that carries the lens-holding members is so constructed that it may be rocked both longitudinally and transversely so that the lenses will simultaneously be reciprocated bo'thlongitudinally' an'd transverse y fel'ative to'the laps. I provide me'ansfbr' rocking the frame longitudinally and means for rocking it transversely, both of such means being. adjustable to vary the extent of movement of the frame and,

consequently, of the lenses relative to the laps.

that the three movements are' independent of each-other and the speed of each movement may be selected so that maximumbreakin'g' up of the lines of grincling will be accomplished.

The preferred-embodiment of my invention is illustrated the accompan ing drawings where in similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete machine made in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the operating mechanism of my machine.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken through the housing of the machine, certain portions of the machine being eliminated.

Figure 4 is a schematic figure of the machine, with the housing removed, illustrating the relative arrangement of the various operating parts of the machine.

Figure 5 is a section taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially along line 66 of Figure 4. I

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the machine, showing the various movements and illustrating diagrammatically how the movements are brought about.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a certain portion of the machine, illustrating mainly the two trans verse movements of the frame of the machine and the means for bringing about such movements.

Figure 9 is a section taken substantially along line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view partly in perspective and partly in section illustrating the means which I have provided for clamping the lap in position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a lap which I preferably use on my machine.

Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the path of movement of a point on the lens relative to the lens-grinding lap.

Figure 13 is a similar View illustrating the path of movement of a point on the lens relative to the lens-grinding lap after the machine has been adjusted to obtain a greater transverse movement than that illustrated in Figure 9.

With reference to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, my machine is shown as comprising a housing I which is preferably of substantially box-like form and is preferably made of metal. This housing preferably has a hinged door 2 at its top which is provided so that the operating mechanism of the machine may be reached for adjustment and other purposes.

Lens carrier In the machine illustrated, I provide means for carrying two lenses although it will be apparent that the machine may be modified to carry a single lens or any number of lenses. I will first describe the means which I provide for carrying the lenses in order that they may be moved in two directions substantially at right angles to each other relative to the lens-grinding laps.

On the upper surface of the bottom of the housing I a bearing supporting member 3 is bolted. This bearing supporting member 3 has an upstanding bearing support 4 formed integral therewith at each end thereof. In each of the upstanding bearing supports 4 (Figure 9) a ball bearing 5 is disposed. A stub shaft 6 extends centrally through this ball bearing -5. On its inner end within the bearing support 4, the stub shaft 6 has an integral radially extending arm 1; This arm I has the outer reduced end 8 of a longitudinally extending shaft 9 keyed therein.

This shaft 9 extends from one bearing support 4 to the other, as indicated best in Figures 2 and 4. On the reduced portion 8 of the shaft 9 adjacent the arm 1 a roller bearing I0 is disposed. It will be noted that the shaft 6 is out of alignment with the portion 8 of shaft 9. Consequently, there is provided a pair of co-axially arranged eccentrics disposed at the opposite ends of the shaft 9 which I will designate generally by the reference character II. p

The frame for supporting the lens-carrying members is adapted to be mounted on the shaft 9 in such a manner that the eccentrics II will cause transverse movement thereof. This frame embodies a horizontally disposed lower portion 12 comprising transversely extending members i3 which are joined together by longitudinally extending members l4 and [5 which are integrally connected thereto. Substantially midway between the forward and rear ends of each of the transverse members I3 a bearing housing I6 is formed. These bearing housings l6 rotatably. receive the roller bearings ID of the eccentrics II. It will be apparent that if the eccentrics H are rotated the lower portion l2 of the frame will be moved rearwardly and forwardly and also vertically. In other words, it will move through a rotary path in a vertical plane.

At each end of the lower portion l2 of the frame is an upstanding portion IT. This portion I! of the frame is bifurcated at its lower end and straddles the transverse member l3 of the lower portion l2 of the frame. Each leg of the bifurcated lower end of the upstanding portion I! of the frame is pivotally connected to the end of member l3 as at Ila. Each of the members I! is thus so mounted on the lower portion [2 of the frame that it may be oscillated longitudinally of the frame and of the machine.

I provide means for connecting the upper ends 4a as at 20. Thus, each end of member I8 is pivotally connected to one of the members IT.

The member l8 adjacent each end is provided with bearing housings 2| which are spaced laterally from the upstanding portion l9 which is disposed therebetween. These bearing housings Adjacent each end of the have ball bearings disposed therein which receive stub shafts extending from a yoke 22. Thus, the yoke 22 is free to rock in one direction on the member l8. An arm 23 having a pair of spaced depending portions 24 at its rear end is pivotally connected to the yoke 22 as at 25. Thus, the arm 23 may rock on the yoke 22 in a direction-substantially at right angles to the rocking movement of the yoke 22 on the member l8. The arm 23 extends through anopening 26 in the forward wall of the housing. Thus, the arm 23 is free to rock both longitudinally and transversely of the machine on the frame which carries it.- Also, the frame which carries it is free to rock both transversely and longitudinally of the machine.v As previously stated, the rockable frame carries two of the arms 23, as indicated in the drawings, so, that two lens holders may be provided onthe machine.

The portion of each arm 23 that extends out of the housing I is provided with a lens block carrying member 21. This member 27 may be ofany suitable type but preferably embodies a member having a pair of depending pins 28 that project into sockets formed in the upper surface of a block 29 to which is cemented or otherwise secured a lens L. The pins 28 will permit reciprocation of the lens over the surface of the lap in both directions but will prevent rotation of the lens relative to the lap. Consequently, this will insure that the curvature of the lap will be imparted to thesurface of the lens.

At all the pivot points of the frame and at all the pivotal connections of the arms 23 to the frame I preferably provide roller bearings in order to eliminate friction and wear,

The lap holder The means for holding the lap L is indicated best in Figures 1, 3 and 10. As indicated in these figures, I provide means on the forward wall of the housing I for supporting a pair of lens-grinding laps L. These laps are so disposed that the lenses carried by the arms 23 will be disposed directly thereabove. The two lap-supporting tables 30 are carried by a single support 3| which is bolted to the forward wall of the housing I. The tables 30 project forwardly from the member 3|. The upper surface of each of the tables 30 is substantially fiat but has a depression 32 formed therein in order to produce an upstanding lug 33. The lug 33 projects above the surface of the table upon which the lap L will rest as indicated best in Figure 3. The lower surface of the lap is provided with a notch 34 (Figure 11) This notch is just slightly wider than the diameter of the lug 33 so that when the lug projects thereinto, the notch and lug will cooperate to prevent longitudinal movement of the lap relative to the machine. However, because the notch is elongated, as indicated, transverse movement of the lap on the table will be permitted.

I provide means for clamping the lap in position in order to prevent the transverse movement. This means comprises a lug 35 with a straight forward edge arranged so that the rear edge of the lap will contact therewith and a clamping member 36 adapted to contact with the forward edge of the lap so that it will be firmly gripped between the clamping member 36 and the lug 35. The clamping member 36 is pivoted at its lower end as at 31 between a pairof lugs 38 on the lower and forward portion of the table 30. The upper end of the clamping member 36 i has a rearwardly projecting finger 39 adapted to engage the forward edge of the lap L as indicated in Figure 3. A screw 40 passes through the clamping member 33 intermediate its ends and is threaded into a bushing 4| disposed in an opening in the lap table 30. The screw is free to rotate in the opening in the member 36 through which it extends. The outer end of the screw is enlarged to form a handle portion 42, the inner end of which engages the clamping member 36.

It will be apparent that in using this clamping device, the lap L is placed on the table with the notch 34 over the lug 33. Since the notch is of substantially the same width as the diameter of lug 33, longitudinal movement of the lap on the table will be precluded. The handle 42 of the screw may be turned until the finger 39 touches the forward edge of the lap L and forces the lap transversely of the table into firm contact with the lug 35. The lap will be tightly gripped between finger 39 and lug 35. The notch 34 and the cooperating lug 33 serve to initially properly position the lap longitudinally of the table 30 and the clamping means serves to position it properly transversely of the table.

I provide means for effectively lubricating the screws 4!! in order to prevent binding thereof. It will be apparent that the moisture from the abrasive, which is usually in the form of a paste, would tend to rust the screws 4|]. However, I provide means for effectively lubricating the screws and thus eliminate any possibility of their rusting and binding.

This lubricating means comprises a reservoir 43 mounted on the member 31 intermediate the two lap tables 30. This member 43 has a cap 44 on its upper end which may be opened to permit filling with a lubricant. The lower end of the reservoir 43 is open and communicates with a vertical passageway 45 which in turn com- Thus, the screws will be lubricated throughout 0 their length.

The depressions 32 in the lap tables will tend to collect any moisture which might seep beneath the laps and, therefore, will prevent sticking of the laps on the lap tables due to rust. The bottom of the housing l extends forwardly to form a shelf la which will catch any abrasive that falls off the laps.

Means for maintaining the lap and lens in contact The means for maintaining the lap and the lens firmly but resiliently in contact with each other is indicated best in Figures 1 and 3. As illustrated, the forward portion of each arm 23 is downwardly turned as at 4'! and then has a forwardly extending portion 48. This portion 48 is at a level substantially corresponding with the level where the lens L and the lap L contact with each other. This portion 48 has a cup 49 in its upper surface which receives a point 50 formed on the lower end of a rod 5|. The rod 5| extends upwardly and has its upper end slidably mounted in a sleeve or collar 52 on the outer end'of an arm 53. A compression spring 54 surrounds the rod 5! and the upper end of this spring abuts the portion 52 of arm 53 while the lower end of the spring bears against an enlargement 55 on the lower end of the rod. Thus, it will be apparent that the spring 54 will function to force the forward end of the arm 23, that carries the lens. downwardly so that the lens will be in firm contact with the lap.

The arm 53 has a sleeve 56 on its rear end which loosely fits on an upstanding rod 51. A setscrew 58 is provided so that the arm may be adjusted vertically on the rod 5? and held in adjusted position. The lower end of the rod 51 is mounted in a member 59 which has a bifurcated lower end 53 which straddles a pair of lugs 32, projecting upwardly from the housing I, to which it is pivotally connected by a pin 63. The member 53 has a slot 64 formed therein in which the rear end of an arm 65 is disposed. This arm 65 is pivotally connected to member 59 by a pin 66. The slot 54 is of such size as to permit limited movement of member 65 about pivot pin 66. The member 65 has a latch portion 61 adapted to cooperate with a keeper 68 immovably disposed between the lugs 62. The keeper has a lug 69 formed thereon. The forward end of arm 65 has a portion 19 formed thereon through which passes the upper end of a strap II. The strap H is adjustably held in portion 10 by means of a set screw 12. The lower end of this strap 1| is connected to the forward end of arm 23 as at 13. The extreme forward end of arm 53 has a handle portion 14 formed thereon.

When the machine is not in use, as indicated in Figure 1, the arm 53 and rod 51 and associated parts are swung about the pivot pin 63 to cause the rod 51 to swing rearwardly and the forward end of arm 53 to swing upwardly. The latch portion 61 of arm 65 during such movement will drop behind the lug 69. Thus, the latch will function to keep the various parts in the position illustrated in Figure 1. During the described movement of arm 53 and rod 51, the forward end of arm 65 is also swung upwardly. Because of the strap H, this will lift the forward end of arm 23 upwardly so that the lens L will be lifted out of contact with the lap L. The lens may then be removed from the machine.

To adjust these parts again "into operative position, it is merely necessary to move the arm 65 upwardly slightly to release portion 61 thereof from the lug 69. This will permit the rod 51 to swing forwardly and the arms 53 and 65 to swing downwardly. The arm 23 will also swing downwardly. The spring 54 will force the arm 23 downwardly so that the lens will be in firm contact with the lens-grinding lap. With the parts in this position, the latch portion 6! will be in front of the lug 69. Thus, these portions will normally tend to prevent upward swinging movement of arms 53 and 65. In other words,

Iprovide means for locking the various parts in inoperative position as indicated in Figure 1 or in operative position indicated in Figure 3. The

.force of the spring 54 may be varied by adjust- Longitudinal movement As previously stated, the frame which carries the arms 23, that carry the lenses, is free to rock longitudinally of the machine and such rocking movement will cause longitudinal movement of the lenses relative to the laps. The means for accomplishing this longitudinal movement is indicated best in Figures 2, 4 and 5. This means comprises a pitman 15 which has one end connected by a ball bearing pivotal connection. to a depending bearing housing 16, on member l8 of the frame, as at 11. The opposite end of the pitman I5 is connected by means of an eccentric 18 to the forward end of a shaft 19. The eccentric 18 (Figure 5) comprises a disk 85 disposed eccentrically on the forward end of shaft 19 and formed integrally therewith. A disk-like member 8| is mounted on the member 85 and is free to rotate thereon being provided with a peripheral flange 8|b that surrounds the member 80.

' This member 8| has a pin 82, eccentrically disposed thereon which carries a ball bearing 8|a to which the end of the pitman i5 is pivotally connected by means of a collar 15a on the pitman which surrounds the bearing. The disk has a groove 83 on its periphery. Three members 84 project through the flange 82 of member 8| into the groove 83 in member 80. One of these members is an adjustable setscrew.

The shaft 19 and the pin 82 are out of alignment with each other. Consequently, when the shaft 19 is rotated, the frame will be rocked 10ngitudinally of the machine by means of the eccentric 18 and the pitman E5. The extent of the longitudinal movement may be varied by adjusting members 80 and 3| relative to each other. To do this the setscrew 84 is loosened and then the member 8| is'rotated relative to the member 8! This will vary the position of the shaft 19 and pin 82 relative to each other. Consequently, this will vary the lengthwise movement of the pitman 75. The pin 82and shaft 19 are so arranged that they may be brought into alignment if desired. It will be apparent that if they are in alignment, there will be no lengthwise movement of pitman l5 and, consequently, no longitudinal rocking movement of the frame.

Transverse movement As previously stated, the frame which carries the arms 23, that carry the lenses, is free to rock transversely of the machine and such rocking movement will cause transverse movement of the lenses relative to the laps. The means for accomplishing this transverse movement is indicated best in Figures 4, 6 and 8.

This means comprises a rocker arm 85 which is rigidly connected as 'at 86 to the member l5 of the lower portion l2 of the frame. This rocker arm 85 has its rear end pivotally connected as at Bl to the lower end of a pitman 88. This pitman 88 has its upper end pivotally connected by means of a ball bearing 88a (Figure 6) to a pivot bolt 89 which has its head 89a disposed in a T -slot 90 extending across a disk 9| at the center thereof. The bolt 89 may be adjusted to different positions along the T-slot 90 so that it will be located in different positions relative to the center of the disk 9|. To facilitate description of the operation, I will designate this entire eccentric structure by the reference character 92. The disk 9| is mounted concentrically on the end of a shaft 93 to which it is keyed.

It will be apparent that the shaft 93 and the disk 9| are rotated and if the pivot bolt 89 is disposed eccentrically on disk 9|, the rear end of the rocker arm 35 will be swung upwardly and downwardly. This will cause swinging of the frame about the eccentrics Consequently, due to this transverse rocking movement of the frame, the lenses will be caused to move transversely relative to the laps. The extent of the transverse movement will depend upon the position of the pivot bolt 89 relative to the center of the disk 9! and this may be varied whenever desired.

Third movement movement. which also might be said to be a" transverse movement, all occur simultaneously, as; will be brought out. more in detail hereinafter. The third movement accomplished by means of the eccentrics II will, constantly vary the extent of the transversev movement produced by theeccentric 92. This is due to the fact that as the. eccentric 92: causes the frame to rock about the eccentrics I I, the eccentrics .I I also rotate and cause the entire frame to move bodily forwardly and rearwardly. Thus, the extent of transverse movement produced by the eccentric 9,2 is constantly varied.

The driving means The driving means is illustrated best in Figures 2, 3 and 4. For driving the various. parts of the machine adapted to be driven, I provide an electric motor 94. This motor 94 is supported within the housing adjacent the rear wall thereof. The motor 94 may be controlled by means of a switch operated by a lever .95 which extends through a slot 96 in the sidewall of the housing. The motor 94 is provided with a drive shaft 97. This shaft has a pulley 9.8 keyed on its outer end. The pulley 98 drives a pulley 99, keyed on the outer end of one of the stub shafts B, by means of a belt I00. The pulley 98 and the pulley 99 are of substantially the same size so that the two eccentrics II will be driven at sub- .stantiallythe same speed as the drive shaft of the motor. It. will be apparent that both of the eccentrics II rotate together because they are connected by means of the shaft 9. The outer end of the drive shaft 9! projects through an opening in the side wall of the housing and has a hand wheel 91a keyed thereon. This hand wheel 910.; is provided so that the drive shaft 9! may be rotated manually when the motor 94 is not running. This may be desirable to properly adjust the. machine before operation thereof is started.

The drive shaft 91 has a second pulley IIJI keyed thereon which is smaller than the pulley 98. This pulley IIJI drives a larger pulley I02 by means of a belt I03. The pulley I02 is keyed on the end of shaft 93 which drives the eccentric 92 provided for obtaining the transverse movement. It will be apparent that the eccentrics II Will be driven faster than the eccentric 92. Consequently, the transverse movement accomplished by means of eccentric 92 will be slower than the third motion accomplished with the eccentrics I I. This results in the path of movement of the lens transversely of the lap, produced by eccentric 92, being changed several times, by means of eccentrics II, during a single movement of the lens transversely of the lap from one edge thereof to the other. This insures that the lines of grinding will be broken up often and to a sufficient extent.

The drive shaft 91 of the motor also projects from the opposite side thereof. It drives a gear reduction unit I04. This gear reduction unit I94 is connected to the shaft I9 that drives the eccentric I8 which produces the longitudinal movement. The gear reduction unit is provided so that shaft I9 will be driven at a slower rate than the drive shaft. Thus, the longitudinal movement will also be at a slower rate than the third movement produced by the eccentrics I I.

The operation In operation of the machine, the laps L are first mounted on the lap tables in the manner described. The arms 23 are lowered into operative position, the lens blocks 29 being placed beneath pins 28, where the spring 54 will exert a downward force, forcing the lenses firmly into contact with the laps. The latch 67 will be in front of lug 6 9 and will prevent accidental upward swinging of arms 53 and 95. The motor 94 may then be started by means of the switch lever 95. This will cause the driving mechanism to function.

The eccentric I8 will be driven and will cause reciprocation of the pitman I5. This will in .turn cause longitudinal rocking movement of the frame which carries the arms 23. Consequently, the lenses on the forward ends of these arms will be reciprocated longitudinally of the laps. During this reciprocation, the arms 23 may pivot about, pivot points 25 and, consequently, the surface of the lenses will always be in firm contact with the surface of the laps. Furthermore, the arms 23 will be free to swing in a vertical plane about the pivot points 2 I. This will permit the spring 54 to always hold the lenses in firm contact with the laps.

At the same time the eccentric I8 is driven, the eccentric 92 is also driven. This causes rocking of the rocker arm 85 and thereby produces transverse rocking movement of the frame which carries the arms 23. Consequently, the lenses are moved transversely of the laps. During this transverse rocking of the frame, the arms 23 will pivot about the pivot points 21 and the entire frame will pivot about the eccentrics I I.

Thus, it will be apparent that the lenses are moved relative to the laps simultaneously in two directions substantially at right angles to each other. However, simultaneously with such movements in both directions a third movement is produced by means of the eccentrics II which are driven comparatively fast. These eccentrics produce a back-and-forth and up-and-down, in other words, a rotary, movement of the frame. During this movement the arms 23 will pivot about the points 2|. This causes a constant change in the path of movement since it varies the extent of the transverse movement produced by means of the eccentric 92. Since the eccentrics II are rotated at a greater rate of speed than the eccentric 92, the path of movement of the lenses transversely of the laps will be changed several times during a single movement of the lenses transversely of the laps from one edge thereof tov the other. This will insure that the lines of grinding will be broken up sufficiently to overcome any chance of error.

The extent of the longitudinal movement may be varied by adjusting the eccentric I8 in the manner previously described. The extent of the transverse movement may be adjusted by adjusting the eccentric 92. In Figure 12 I illustrate the path of movement of a point on the lens relative to the lap, produced when the lens is mounted on my machine and the machine is operated. Figure 13 is a similar view illustrating the path of movement when the pivot bolt 89 of the eccentric 92 is adjusted farther away from the-center in order to obtain a greater transverse movement.

One of the important features of my invention is that the three motions described are independent of each other. Thus, the speed of each movement may be different from the speed of the others.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided a machine having many desirable features. The machine is very simple yet very effective for the purposes for which it is intended. Any of the pivot points or hearing points which might be subject to wear are provided with ball bearings. The machine is so constructed that the third movement provided therein is of such a nature that the lines of grinding are broken up to a greater extent and more often than with prior art machines.

'Many other advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A lens grinding and polishing machine comprising a lap holder and a lens holder, a frame for carrying one of said holders, said frame being rockable both longitudinally and transversely of the'machine so as to produce a longitudinal and transverse movement of the lens holder and lap holder relative to each other, means for rocking the frame longitudinally of the machine, means for rocking the frame transversely of the machine, and means for bodily moving the frame in one of said directions to vary the movement of the lap and lens relative to each other, said lastnamed means comprising an eccentric upon which the frame is supported and about which the frame rocks in the direction which it is moved by said eccentric.

2. A lens grinding and polishing machine comprising a lap holder and a lens holder, a frame for carrying one of said holders, said frame being rookable both longitudinally and transversely of the machine so as to produce a longitudinal and transverse movement of the lens holder and lap holder relative to each other, means for rocking the frame longitudinally of the machine, said means being manually adjustable to vary the extent of the longitudinal movement, means for rocking the frame transversely of the machine, said last-named means being adjustable manually to vary the extent of the transverse movement, and means for bodily moving the frame transversely automatically during the transverse movement produced by said second named means in order tovary the extent of movement produced by said second named means, said last named means comprising an eccentric which supports said frame and about which the frame rocks transversely.

3. A lens grinding and polishing machine comprising a. plurality of lap holders and a plurality of lens holders, means for supporting a plurality of the said holders of one type for movement relative to a corresponding number of holders of the other type, said means comprising a frame rockable both longitudinally and transversely of the machine so as to produce a longitudinal and transverse movement of the lens holders and lap holders relative to each other, means for rocking the frame longitudinally of the machine, means for rocking the frame transversely of the machine, and means for bodily moving the frame in one direction to vary the movement of the holders relative to each other, said last-named means comprising a plurality of co-axially arranged eccentrics upon which the frame is supfor adjusting said, clamping member comprising Pl a screw threaded into the lap suppoit, said screw being disposed in inclined relation, and means for supplying lubricant to said screw at the higher end thereof.

LOWELL L. HOUCHIN. 

